Kolb era ends in desert as Cardinals cut QB

The Arizona Cardinals have released Kevin Kolb, ending the quarterback’s two injury-filled seasons with the team.

The team’s move on Friday came just ahead of the deadline for paying Kolb a $2 million roster bonus. The team paid Kolb some $20 million over two seasons after acquiring him in a trade that sent a second-round draft pick and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The move reportedly saved $7 million in salary cap space. Meanwhile, the Cardinals were spending the money left and right, agreeing to terms Friday on one-year contracts with former San Diego cornerback Antoine Cason and ex-Oakland defensive end Matt Shaughnessy. Arizona has made eight free-agent acquisitions since Wednesday, a sign of a franchise shake-up.

Kolb was plagued by injuries and inconsistent play in his two seasons in Arizona. Last season, he lost the starting job to John Skelton but came on in the opener after Skelton was hurt to direct the winning touchdown drive against Seattle. Arizona went on to a 4-0 start with Kolb at quarterback, but in Week 6 he tore cartilage in his ribs on a broken play and never played again.

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Elvis Dumervil found himself out of a job and the Denver Broncos were without their best defensive end Friday after they reached an agreement but saw it all come undone when tardy filing of the paperwork forced Denver to release him.

A person familiar with the negotiations said that at 1:25 p.m. Denver time, Dumervil agreed to take a $4 million pay cut to remain with the AFC West champions. But with the clock ticking on a 1:59 p.m. deadline, the Broncos were not seeing any sign of the signed copy on their fax machine. With no signed contract in hand as 1:59 approached, the Broncos were forced to cut Dumervil, because once the 1:59 deadline passed, they were on the hook for the $12 million they owed him in the original contract.

Dumervil is now a free agent, dumped late onto a market where one top defensive end, Cliff Avril, just signed a two-year deal with Seattle worth an average of $7.5 million a year.

EXTRA POINTS

Receiver Brandon Gibson, a former standout at Washington State, signed with the Dolphins. Gibson spent the past four seasons with the Rams. … The Jaguars signed former Seahawks running back Justin Forsett, cornerback Alan Ball, defensive tackle Roy Miller and cornerback Antwaun Molden. … The Vikings reportedly agreed to terms with free agent receiver Greg Jennings from the rival Packers. … The Raiders agreed to a free-agent contract with former Bears linebacker Nick Roach. … Reports say the Jets signed former Chargers nose tackle Antonio Garay and former Steelers offensive lineman Willie Colon to one-year deals. … The Eagles acquired wide receiver Arrelious Benn and a seventh-round pick from the Buccaneers for a pair of draft picks. … The Chargers agreed to a two-year contract with former Patriots running back Danny Woodhead.